Laurel
Born: New York City, New YorkHow long have you been in the area? 23 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? Always being drawn to beauty and creativity, I pursued Art at San Jose State University. After I received my degree, I became interested in hair styling as a practical art form that brought beautiful expression into every day life.Specialization: I like hair coloring and cutting, but my favorite thing to do is a "complete makeover." Working with my client, we decide how she would like to look. Then we might use a new hair color and some high lights along with a very stylish cut.Favorite Aspect: I believe that I can help any client look and feel better. What's better than that?Three words that best describe you: Artistic, Energetic, and Fun. What would you like our readers to know? From evening "looks" to day-to-day styling, I've always been serious about giving each client my very best. My clients might enjoy knowing that when I have a chance, I enjoy serving as a stylist for the stage and video, which involves hair and makeup for performers. This past summer, I was privileged to do hair styling for TV star Annie Potts ("Designing Women," "Any Day Now") when she performed the play Love Letters downtown at the Lansburgh Theater. Annie said, "Your highlights rock." I'm serious about giving everyone who sits in my chair that kind of attention to detail.

Elie B. Ephrem
Born: LebanonHow long have you been in the area? 20 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? 1990. I was born one-it's in my blood. I very much enjoy it with passion.Specialization: "hair" period.Favorite Aspect: Peoples comfort- Relaxation & SatisfactionThree words that best describe you: Professional, Dedicated, and EnthusiasticWhat would you like our readers to know? That my artistic abilities reflect on my appearance, individuality, knowledge and personality.Comments: I look forward to working with you, come on in- you won't be disappointed- promise!

Cesar Vega
Born: GuatemalaIn this area: 6 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? December 1995. I like working in the Salon industry.Specialization: Color/Highlights and relaxersFavorite Aspect: Working with nice people
Three words that best describe you: Hard-working, FriendlyWhat would you like our readers to know? I love music! I love sports!

Carole Jacuk
Born: Washington, D.C.How long have you been in the area? My whole LifeWhen and why did you become a hair designer? 25 + years- watching trends change growing up, I wanted to be a part of that industry.Specialization: Creative coloring, current cuts/styling, formal up do'sFavorite Aspect: The Finished ProductThree words that best describe you: Fun, Loving, and Energetic.What would you like our readers to know? Confident that I have the ability to satisfy my clients needs.

Nury Solano
Born: Cali, ColombiaHow long have you been in the area? 20 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? I love making people look their bestSpecialization: Color, Highlights, Perms, Hair cuts Three words that best describe you: Friendly, Happy, and Positive.What would you like our readers to know? I'm always willing to listen to what you want and ready to give my professional suggestion.

Sophie
Born: FranceHow long have you been in the area? I have been in this area for 23 years.When and why did you become a hair designer? Favorite Aspect: My favorite aspect is to combine my artisic talent to my love of people.Three words that best describe you: Patient, Good Listener, and Professional.What would you like our readers to know? As a perfectionist I always aim for the best.

Olga Gendelman
Born: RussiaHow long have you been in the area? 20 YearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? 18 years ago. Love working with people. Specialization: Nail Technician, specializing in manicure and pedicure.Favorite Aspect: Be with people. Be friendly and supportive. Cherish the best in people. Share the best, be tactful with challenges.Three words that best describe you: Reliable, Professional, and Respectful.What would you like our readers to know? Life is good. Let us be nice to each other, make days go easy with smiles and support, be understanding and respectful.

Serge
Born: Paris, FranceHow long have you been in the area? 14 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? In 1980. From early years, I was inspired by fashion and creativity in helping those around me improve their image.Specialization: Stylist/ ColoristFavorite Aspect: Matching the fashion to the individual.Three words that best describe you: Imaginative, Creative, and Attentive.What would you like our readers to know? I enjoy meeting people and am generally a people person.

Xen Nicolaidis ("Zen")
Born: Washington D.C.How long have you been in the area? I have lived in D.C. and Europe. Maryland has been my home for most of my adult life.When and why did you become a hair designer? I left the medical field to pursue my life-long love of hair in 1986. I have always had the knack for this industry, even as a young child.Specialization: My strength and passion is hair color. I love foil techniques, highlighting and low-lighting, as well as dimensional color. I always love the challenge of color correction. I also specialize in cuts, styling, perms, brazilian blowouts, and special occasion hair.Favorite Aspect: Being creative and always looking for innovative hair trends that can be tailored for each individual in my chair. I love having the ability to make my customer look in the mirror and love what they see. Making someone feel and look their best is the biggest reward my profession can ever offer me.
Three words that best describe you:Creative, Caring, and Funny.What would you like our readers to know? I have trained extensively with Wella, L'Oreal Paris, and Redken in New York City; Tigi in Dallas, TX; and most recently in Minneapolis, IN, where I became a product educator for Brocato and for Kadus Hair color. I am lucky to work in a salon with a talented team of hair experts. There is always something new to be learned in this profession. The "teamwork" at Rainbow provides a synergy which keeps me motivated and enthusiastic about what I do... very few professions exist where "work" and "fun" are synonymous.Comments: I am passionate about my career and always look forward to bringing the latest in hair fashion to my chair, but I also have the ability to "listen" to the needs of my clients, which is very important. I truly love what I do.

Joy Sansbury
Born: Washington D.C.How long have you been in the area? All my life.When and why did you become a hair designer? I started at 9 years old doing my hair and nails, cutting my own hair at 13 years old. Always did everyone's hair, friends encouraged me to go to school.Specialization: Color specialists (blondes and redheads) Texturing very thick hair. I have fine hair and, I really understand the problems of fine hair.Favorite Aspect: I look forward to meeting people, and creating great looks that best fit their lifestyle.Three words that best describe you: Creative, Intuitive, and Artistic.What would you like our readers to know? I am passionate about styling hair, kids, dogs, wall street, current events, gardening, yoga, reading, golf, and life.Comments: Highly Rated by Washingtonian Magazine. I have studied at Vidal Sassoon, L'Oreal International Institute, and Kadus. I view color and styling DVDs to keep current.

Carolita M. Hoover
Born: PeruHow long have you been in the area? 39 YearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? I was studying in the School of Arts in Peru and there it was that I discovered that I had a natural skill in creating beauty in hair design.Specialization: I specialize in 1) hair color selection, treatment and correction, including highlights and low lights; 2) formal hair design for special occasions including Weddings, Galas, Proms and other formal occasions; 3) permanents and 4) hair cut and stylingFavorite Aspect: The favorite aspect of my job as a Stylist is to please my clients and exceed their expectations. It is personally fulfilling to assist my Clients in achieving and style that fits their personality and their needs beyond their expectations.Three words that best describe you: Perfectionist, Understanding and Patient.What would you like our readers to know? I am a seasoned professional. I am a good listener. I am a perfectionist and I am patient. I am ready to work with my new and existing Clients to fulfill their styling needs to achieve exceptional resultsComments: At Rainbow, you will always be welcomed in a pleasant and professional environment. We are waiting for you!

Gisela Zurheide
Born: GermanyHow long have you been in the area? Since 1968When and why did you become a hair designer? I liked hair and people. I enjoyed working in Germany, London, Washington D.C. at the Willard Hotel, Garfinkel's, Bloomingdales's and now I have the pleasure to be at Rainbow.Specialization: To make every client feel special and find the right look in color and style.Favorite Aspect: To see a satisfied client return to the salon.Three words that best describe you: clean-cut, open-minded, reliable.What would you like our readers to know? I am interested in many subjects a client might like to talk about, such as gardening, travel, cooking, fashion, art, children/grandchildren, pet stories. I also enjoy quiet time.Comments: I presently take appointments for Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Ido Gabriel Achrak
Born: IsraelHow long have you been in the area?When and why did you become a hair designer? Since 1999 I am creative, and like to with people. I get pleasure making people look their best.Specialization: Haircut, color, Highlight, Blow dry and Flat Iron.Favorite Aspect: design hair cutting.Three words that best describe you: Friendly, patient, and caring.What would you like our readers to know? I speak sign language Hebrew, English, and American sign language.

Veronica Chavez
Born: Guatemala C.A.How long have you been in the area? 16 yearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? Since 1997. I enjoy bringing out the inner beauty of a person and expressing my creativity.Specialization: Dimensional Coloring and Contrasting (Highlighting & Lowlighting) Color corrections, formal Up-dos.Favorite Aspect: Color Enhancement with personalized hair shaping.Three words that best describe you: Perfectionist, Creative, Dedicated.What would you like our readers to know? My skills and abilities allow me to optimize and individualize physical traits, thus creating individuality.Comments: Bi-lingual

Danny Sayag
Owner/Stylist
Born: In Morocco but raised in IsraelWhen and why did you become a hair designer? When I first came to this country, I helped my aunts and uncles in their salons just so I could earn some money. I became intrigued with the chemical work and how hair color and texture could be successfully changed to improve a person's appearance. I became an official apprentice to my uncle, learned the trade and branched out on my own. I first became an owner in 1990 and have expanded from there. Specialization: Hair coloring, Permanents and Straightening.Favorite Aspect: Challenging myself to perfect the latest and most effective techniques for applying hair color, perms, and straightening processes, challenging stylists to increase their clientele by improving their customers service and operating and expanding salons so employees can be successful and clients are continually satisfied.Three words that best describe you: Competitive, Intuitive and Hard workingWhat would you like our readers to know? I love to play games but especially soccer, racquetball, poker, and chess. I admire people who work hard and have common sense.

Krystina Tash
Born: Krakow, PolandHow long have you been in the area? 24 yearsWhen and why did you become Esthetician?I simply love working in the beauty industry.Specialization: all types of facials, waxing, body treatments, and make-up.Favorite Aspect: I love to make people feel more beautiful and to make them feel good about themselves, as we all deserve.Three words that best describe you: Experienced, detail- oriented, and sensitive.What would you like our readers to know? I came from Poland, where I was trained as an Esthetician. I was working my first few years in Atlantic City, in Trump casino, there I moved to New York City, where i was working in Spa Bliss. For the past 18 years, I have been working in Washington D.C. I am now enjoying the team at Rainbow Hair Salon.

Robin Miller
Born: Washington, D.C.How long have you been in the area? 51 yearsWhen and why did you become hair designer?
28 years ago, things fell into place for me. I was able to go to school to fulfill a life long dream. Specialization: Make-oversFavorite Aspect: Get to see the results of my work with every client- Almost instant gratification.Three words that best describe you: Enthusiastic, Frank, Good Listener.What would you like our readers to know? I love doing hair more now then ever. I also have won a cutting competition.Comments: I love Rainbow

Barbara
Born: Montgomery County, MarylandHow long have you been in the area? All my life.When and why did you become hair designer?
I became a hairdresser when I was 16 years old. The lifestyle of a hairdresser attracted me.Specialization: Helping people find a new look that will fit their personality, life style, hair texture and current trend.Favorite Aspect: My favorite aspects of hairdressing are constant change and getting to know my clients.Three words that best describe you: Friendly, caring, and patient.What would you like our readers to know? I would like my clients to know that I like to devote extra time to teach them simple techniques to keep the "just left the salon" look everyday.

Katie Tennyson
Born: Seoul KoreaHow long have you been in the area? 32 YearsWhen and why did you become a hair designer? 1981- I feel that it is my Job to make sure that everyone's hair looks great.Specialization: Hair Design, Cutting/Styling, Coloring, Weddings and Up do'sThree words that best describe you: Happy, Pleasant, and CourteousWhat would you like our readers to know? I have 27 years of experience with many variety of the latest cuts and styles.

Lyn Kelson
Born: KoreaSpecialization: Color/ Highlight, fine, thick, curly hair, and updos. Also Japanese straightening.Favorite Aspect: Being creative and making people feel good about themselves.Three words that best describe you: Honest, reliable, and caring.What would you like our readers to know? I have over 25 years of experience doing hair.

Michael Perez Jr.

Born: Virginia

When and why did you become a hair designer?My father immigrated from Cuba and established his life in Virginia where he owned and operated three hair salons and opened the first licensed beauty school in Lynchburg, VA. At the age of 14 . I launched my hair designer career when I began shampooing hair at "Perez Salon." After hours my buddies and I would sneak into my Dad's salon so that I could color their hair jet black to emulate Elvis Presley. I never looked back and at the age of 17 . I became a licensed hairdresser---to my belief, the youngest licensed hair stylist in VA. My career has included owning and operating 5 salons.

Favorite Aspect:Completely changing an individual's hair color and restyling their haircut. I thrive and excel on fashionable and avant garde hair creations, especially short trendy hair cuts with the goal of making my clients look and feel their absolute best.

Three words...Intricate, compassionate, creative

What would you like our readers to know?I love my profession and I have never doubted my career choice. I have studied both the art and science of hair design in London and Paris and have won numerous hair styling competitions. My work has been featured in professional national hair magazines. I was both humbled and flattered when I was approached by the Bravo Channel to appear as a featured hair stylist in their Makeover Story Reality Show. I have had the pleasure of working with Jill Zarin who stars on Bravo's Housewives of New York. My passion is motor cycles and music.

Nam

When and why did you become a nail technician?
I have always loved creativity and art. In 1986 I embraced my career in nail and manicure pedicure and massage.Specialization:Nails, acrylic nails, silk wraps, spa manicure and pedicures special events.Favorite Aspect:
Creativity and making people feel and look their bestThree words...Kind, perfectionist, loyalWhat would you like our readers to know?I love what I do and I love people. Nothing gives me more pleasure than the great client relationships I have established.

Mirian Rios
Born: Lima,PeruHow long have been in this area:I have been living in this area for the past 17 yearsWhen and Why did you became a hair designer:
I began this career as a shampoo technician and work my way up to an assistant. Two years later, I became a hairstylist and then a Redken Coloring Specialist. It's been a long 15 years and with each year comes new experiences and new ideas. At one point, Bethesda became a home away from home. I learned several different ways to turn a complex look into a simple task. I found that Highlights and color were my strongest points.Specialization:
As an expert in curly hair, I know the intricacies of proper cutting, coloring and maintenance of this hair type. I’m also very experienced with color and I am certified in the Keratin Complex Therapy Treatments. No matter what your hair type is, I can always maintain the integrity of the hair.Favorite Aspect:
My creativity is probably my strongest factor and it is what makes me the type of hairdresser I am. My vision is strong and clear. Whatever the customer asks for, the customer will surly get more than what they expected and nothing less.Three words that best describe you:
Enthusiastic, caring and creativeWhat with you like the readers to know:"I love to get to know my guests as I work for them, to help them achieve their goals with their hair."